Fever’s DeWanna Bonner conundrum coming to a head

DeWanna Bonner’s time with the Fever will be remembered as short. 

The Fever forward is not likely to return to the team, according to multiple reports on Tuesday, following an extended absence away from the team. 

Bonner had been signed during the offseason by the Fever and was expected to be a veteran voice on the roster, but found herself coming off the bench after starting three games at the beginning of the season. 

She eventually left the team for “personal reasons” after coming off the bench for six games. 

Front Office Sports was the first to report that Bonner did not have an interest in coming back to the Fever and that her preferred destinations were Phoenix and Atlanta.

She has been away from the team since June 11 and has missed five straight games for the Fever. 

Bonner had averaged 7.1 points per game and 3.8 rebounds per game in the nine games she’s suited up for Indiana. 

Lexie Hull, who is in her fourth season with the team, took her place in the starting lineup and has developed a fast kinship with Fever star Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham, who recently sported a “Tres Leches” arriving at a game in Las Vegas. “Tres Leches” has become the trio’s nickname.

Bonner has signed with the Fever on a one-year, $200,000 contract in the offseason, which could make it unlikely that Indiana trades her. 

The Fever could more likely waive Bonner and only be responsible for her prorated salary since her contract is unprotected.

Teams would have 48 hours to claim her off waivers before Bonner would then be able to sign with any teams she wanted as an unrestricted free agent. 

The Fever are currently 6-7 this season and have dropped their last two games.